Third Annual Bed Races Hosted by Alpha Tau Omega and Place2BU

Alpha Tau Omega and the Place2BU will host the third annual bed racing tournament Friday, Sept. 28, at 4 p.m. at Fountain Mall on Baylor's campus.

Last year, more than 40 teams participated in the event, which is open to all Baylor students and free of charge. Each team is comprised of five members - four pushing the bed and one riding - and teams will compete head-to-head until a winner is named. At the end of the push race, the rider will jump off the bed and tackle an inflatable obstacle course. The team with the best time will advance to the next round.

Steven Cutbirth, Alpha Tau Omega Bed Races Chairman, believes the bed races event brings the student body together. "It is a great chance for students to hang out with their friends and become more involved in Baylor's great campus life."

The big change this year will be new beds. In previous years, hospital beds have been used. However, this year beds with much bigger wheels were built specifically for the races.

"Last year we had a few problems with the wheels on the beds," said Cutbirth. "But this year we have reinforced the beds, and have put bigger, stronger wheels on them and painted them to make them look more professional."

Molly Borgmeyer, graduate assistant for campus programming, explained that this year the tournament will feel more like a festival. "We'll be grilling hot dogs and hamburgers and have a band playing," she said. Food service will begin at 5:30 p.m. and the band will start at 6 p.m.

The tournament will be single elimination, with separate male and female brackets for each team of five members. Intramural points will also be offered to the participating teams, with each organization receiving 25 intramural points per team, with a maximum of 50 points awarded.

Students are encouraged to wear costumes for their teams. "We hope that students will be very creative this year with their costumes," Cutbirth said. "Last year we had some great costumes including nuns, cowboys, ninjas and Power Rangers." Prizes will be awarded for best costume.